10.30am It's become a bit cloudy in Hobart. Kulasekara charges in with the new ball, Warner to face

10.25am Here's Shan Don with the first feedback of the day. He doesn't think Australia will have it easy: "Without Ricky Ponting Australia will lose the spirit and can easily stumble in batting. Though Ricky did not score much lately he played a big role in the team with his presence. This will be a close game!"

Here's hoping Tony Greig's recovery is going well. He tweets: "Keep an eye on Kulasekara this morning - if he gets it right he will be the bowler most likely to upset Aussies today - Swings it both ways."

Dave the Rave: "Just quietly, I love the idea of the Warne Murali trophy. But it has to be one of the worst/most creepy looking trophies ever." You should take a peek at the original IPL trophy, which hands down win the ugly trophy award.

10.20am It's time for the national anthems and Matthew Wade is miked up by Channel Nine. Wade was originally from Tasmania before he moved to Victoria for greater opportunities and he notes that not many people get a chance to play Test cricket on the ground where they played their club cricket as a junior, but Wade does today.

Toss Michael Clarke has won the toss and Australia will bat.

"The wicket looks pretty good, I think there might be a little bit in it in the first hour or first session but generally as per usual Hobart looks outstanding," Clarke says. "I'm confident this wicket is a bit different to what the boys have played on in first-class cricket this summer."

Mahela Jayawardene says he would have chosen to bat as well.

"The pitch looks much better than a couple of days ago," Mahela says. "We have got a new opening batsman [Karunaratne] who we feel is very exciting."

9.45am Australia have totally dominated this rivalry, both home and away over the past decade, as the stats bear out.

9.35am Greetings and salutations. Day one of the first Test between Sri Lanka and Australia coming up. For some, the main event of Australia's cricketing summer already feels over, with South Africa already winning the tussle for No. 1. Sri Lanka are relatively lightweight opposition, with a pace attack that has famously been described by Rodney Hogg as "the worst new ball attack that has landed on our shores ever".

Still, nobody gave Sri Lanka a chance in Durban last year, where they shocked South Africa. That leaves Australia and India as the two countries where Sri Lanka have yet to win a Test. For the visitors, the rivalry with Australia has always been a bitter one, as Andrew Fernando writes here .

And this is what Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene had to say about his quicks:

We probably don't have the pace which you think which is required to win Test matches in Australia but we've got guys who will bowl good lines and lengths and create opportunities. If we keep to that I think we stand a good chance. We'll see. We've got three Test matches to play. Once we finish that, I'll have a chat to Rodney Hogg."

0.1

Kulasekara to Warner,
1 run,
a short of length ball just outside off, pushed towards cover for a single

0.2

Kulasekara to Cowan,
no run,
nearly a wicket, Cowan nearly picked up another golden duck, it was short of a length and moving away, Cowan played it from the crease, poking at it and it flew low and to the right of Mathews at third slip, that would have been an absolutely ripping catch if he had held on to that, very tough chance put down, got his hand to it but couldn't keep it in as his arm hit the ground

0.3

Kulasekara to Cowan,
no run,
Cowan is much more solid this time

0.4

Kulasekara to Cowan,
no run,
left alone outside off

0.5

Kulasekara to Cowan,
1 run,
an inside-edge this time for Cowan, the ball runs away in front of square leg

0.6

Kulasekara to Warner,
no run,
solidly defended back towards the bowler, a good opening over from Kulasekara

End of over 1 (2 runs)
Australia 2/0

DA Warner1 (2b)

EJM Cowan1 (4b)

KMDN Kulasekara1-0-2-0

UWMBCA Welegedara has the ball now

1.1

Welegedara to Cowan,
3 runs,
a touch short and that is pulled away towards deep midwicket, a bit of a thick bottom-edge, not too well timed, the batsmen have time to take three

1.2

Welegedara to Warner,
1 no ball,
a no-ball as Welegedera oversteps, that was just outside off and left alone by Warner

Vaughan enters the initials game early: "Going to be an interesting start, regardless of how well Useful Workhorse Making Batsman Carelessly Attack Welegedara goes"

1.2

Welegedara to Warner,
no run,
a touch shorter this time, slapped firmly towards cover and a loud 'Wait on,"' from Warner as Herath rolls over to field that

1.3

Welegedara to Warner,
1 run,
just a hint of room and that is chopped in front of point for a single

1.4

Welegedara to Cowan,
no run,
full and outside off, Cowan happy to allow that through to the keeper

1.5

Welegedara to Cowan,
no run,
closer to off this time, making Cowan play, he defends it, nothing dramatic in terms of swing or seam so far

1.6

Welegedara to Cowan,
no run,
fairly close to off once more, Cowan makes sure his bat is behind his body as he watches the ball through to the keeper

End of over 2 (5 runs)
Australia 7/0

EJM Cowan4 (8b)

DA Warner2 (5b)

UWMBCA Welegedara1-0-5-0

KMDN Kulasekara1-0-2-0

2.1

Kulasekara to Warner,
2 runs,
131kph from Kulasekara, pitched up and just outside off, Warner gets forward and punches that through cover, Warner is steaming through hoping for three, Cowan was happy with two

2.2

Kulasekara to Warner,
1 run,
an inside edge as Kulasekara gets the ball to nip in a touch, towards the pads, down towards fine leg

2.3

Kulasekara to Cowan,
no run,
length and just outside off, in the hallway of hesitancy as Damien Fleming might say, left alone

2.4

Kulasekara to Cowan,
no run,
length ball, blocked off the front foot, Kulasekara getting the ball to move a little but nothing like the extravagant indippers that he routinely bowls with the white ball

2.5

Kulasekara to Cowan,
no run,
Cowan gets well forward and defends to the off side

2.6

Kulasekara to Cowan,
no run,
a hint shorter, 131kph again from Kulasekara, more forward defence

End of over 3 (3 runs)
Australia 10/0

EJM Cowan4 (12b)

DA Warner5 (7b)

KMDN Kulasekara2-0-5-0

UWMBCA Welegedara1-0-5-0

3.1

Welegedara to Warner,
2 runs,
mishit, this was another half-chance at least as tough as the one that Mathews dropped, really can't be called a chance this, Warner punches a pitched-up delivery and it is in the air for a while as it whizzes low and to the left of the bowler, who had to change direction in his follow-through as he tried to get a hand on that

3.2

Welegedara to Warner,
no run,
pushed off the front foot to the off side

3.3

Welegedara to Warner,
2 runs,
short and wide from Welegedera, chopped behind point for a couple

3.4

Welegedara to Warner,
3 runs,
Welegedera not quite finding the line and length that Kulasekara has, this one is full and on off and middle, Warner eases that towards long-on, hares back for the third

3.5

Welegedara to Cowan,
no run,
shortish, just outside off, 128kph, Cowan watchfully allows it through to the keeper

3.6

Welegedara to Cowan,
no run,
127kph from Welegedera, keeps it full and outside off, Cowan shoulders arms

End of over 4 (7 runs)
Australia 17/0

EJM Cowan4 (14b)

DA Warner12 (11b)

UWMBCA Welegedara2-0-12-0

KMDN Kulasekara2-0-5-0

4.1

Kulasekara to Warner,
no run,
back of a length ball, probing around off stump, pushed towards cover off the front foot

4.2

Kulasekara to Warner,
no run,
length ball is blocked off the front foot

4.3

Kulasekara to Warner,
no run,
length and around off, 130.8kph, he's been accurate this morning, but he'll be looking to get the ball to snake away more to the left-handers

4.4

Kulasekara to Warner,
no run,
pitched up, driven towards mid-off

4.5

Kulasekara to Warner,
no run,
keeps it on off stump, once more Warner shouts, "wait in," after middling the ball

Round the wicket now. Three slips and a gully

4.6

Kulasekara to Warner,
1 no ball,
back of a length ball angling in, Warner perhaps expecting it to jag in a bit but that holds it line and beats the outside edge, well done by Kulasekara, except he overstepped

Matt W:"Interesting tussle this morning "the worst new ball attack that has landed on our shores ever" VS what has been a very brittle top 4. Also good to see that Clarke and Hussey have "bravely" elected to let the newbies once again take the shine off the ball for them..." Anyone else thinks Clarke should be batting higher up?

4.6

Kulasekara to Warner,
no run,
once more past the outside edge, again Warner is searching for the ball outside off, doesn't angle in as much as he thought it would

End of over 5 (1 run)
Australia 18/0

DA Warner12 (18b)

EJM Cowan4 (14b)

KMDN Kulasekara3-0-6-0

UWMBCA Welegedara2-0-12-0

5.1

Welegedara to Cowan,
no run,
too wide from Welegedara, easy leave for Cowan

5.2

Welegedara to Cowan,
no run,
pitched up and too far from off to worry Cowan

5.3

Welegedara to Cowan,
OUT,
Sri Lanka breakthrough! Cowan is gone looking to pull, he seemed to be a touch late playing that, hit high on the blade, and a top-edge as well, the ball swirls to mid-on, easy take there, fourth early dismissal for Cowan in the first innings in his five previous Tests

Welegedara to Hughes,
no run,
again not close enough to make Hughes play

5.6

Welegedara to Hughes,
FOUR,
Hughes is away, with the cut shot that he uses so effectively, a touch short from Welegedara and that is put away behind point

End of over 6 (4 runs)
Australia 22/1

PJ Hughes4 (3b 1x4)

DA Warner12 (18b)

UWMBCA Welegedara3-0-16-1

KMDN Kulasekara3-0-6-0

Kula continues around the wicket

6.1

Kulasekara to Warner,
no run,
Kulasekara keeps it full, blocked by Warner

6.2

Kulasekara to Warner,
no run,
keeps it pitched up, Warner gets forward and blocks it back towards the bowler

Dan: "You have to feel for Phil Hughes. Enough pressure coming back into the team after such a checkered history at test level, but to have to do it by filling the vast void left by Ricky Ponting? That's a big ask."

6.3

Kulasekara to Warner,
1 no ball,
third no-ball of the morning already, Kulasekara angles it in towards off stump, worked to the leg side

6.3

Kulasekara to Warner,
no run,
beaten again, third time Warner has missed the ball outside off, he was looking to drive that through cover, once more the ball holds its line instead of coming in with the angle

6.4

Kulasekara to Warner,
no run,
a touch shorter, outside off, Warner happy to leave that one alone

6.5

Kulasekara to Warner,
no run,
Kulasekara keeps nagging away around off stump, pushed back to the bowler

6.6

Kulasekara to Warner,
no run,
Warner wasn't quite sure whether to leave or play that, this one goes on with the angle towards the stumps, Warner lets it go, narrowly wide of the off stump

End of over 7 (1 run)
Australia 23/1

DA Warner12 (25b)

PJ Hughes4 (3b 1x4)

KMDN Kulasekara4-0-7-0

UWMBCA Welegedara3-0-16-1

7.1

Welegedara to Hughes,
(no ball) 2 runs,
another no-ball, Sri Lanka clearly making up for the missing Dilhara Fernando here, they'd love it if someone makes up for the missing Muttiah Muralitharan as well, the first ball of the over is punched through covers

7.1

Welegedara to Hughes,
no run,
pitched up and outside off, left alone

7.2

Welegedara to Hughes,
1 run,
Hughes shuffles across, takes the ball from off stump and works it down towards fine leg

7.3

Welegedara to Warner,
FOUR,
length ball and that is lashed past extra cover for four, Warner doesn't hold back, when he decides to go for it, he gives it everything

7.4

Welegedara to Warner,
no run,
127.6 kph from Welegedara, just outside off, Warner leaves this one

7.5

Welegedara to Warner,
no run,
Warner lets another one through to the keeper, length and just outside off

7.6

Welegedara to Warner,
no run,
gets on the front foot and looks to defend towards extra cover, an inside-edge sends the ball rolling to the leg side

Kulasekara to Hughes,
no run,
closer to off, but Hughes still not interested in getting bat on it

8.3

Kulasekara to Hughes,
1 run,
pitched up and that is heading for offstump, guided towards mid-on for a single

8.4

Kulasekara to Warner,
no run,
back of a length and close to off, Warner defends this one solidly

Macoure giving the popular opinion (of Cricinfo readers) it seems when he says: "I don't get all this talk about Clarke higher up the order. Steve Waugh batted 5 his whole career (basically) and was the man. Don't change a winning formula! Clarke is a number 5, so he should bat there."

8.5

Kulasekara to Warner,
no run,
more defence from Warner

8.6

Kulasekara to Warner,
no run,
pitched up and this is driven towards Warner, another accurate over from Kulasekara

Matt is among a minority: "At the very least I believe Clarke should have moved to number 4. Surely that wouldn't have upset things too much."

End of over 9 (1 run)
Australia 32/1

DA Warner16 (32b 1x4)

PJ Hughes8 (9b 1x4)

KMDN Kulasekara5-0-8-0

UWMBCA Welegedara4-0-24-1

Here's Shaminda Eranga

9.1

Eranga to Hughes,
no run,
length ball is blocked to the off side

9.2

Eranga to Hughes,
FOUR,
crashed through cover, superb stroke from Hughes, gets forward and absolutely thumps that length ball for four

9.3

Eranga to Hughes,
no run,
134kph from Eranga, Hughes gets across and defends

9.4

Eranga to Hughes,
no run,
short of a length and just outside off, Hughes gets behind the line and blocks

Eranga to Warner,
no run,
full ball on off, patted back towards the bowler

11.5

Eranga to Warner,
FOUR,
pitched up, gives some room there, Warner drives off the front foot towards the cover boundary, Dilshan gives chase, dives and tries to keep it in, he can't and he ends up nearly crashing into the advertising hoardings

11.6

Eranga to Warner,
no run,
keeping the batsman honest, back of a length ball pushed back towards the bowler

Andrew Fernando, our Sri Lanka correspondent, thinks Eranga could, in time, become the spearhead Sri Lanka are searching for. He wrote this a few months ago.

End of over 12 (4 runs)
Australia 48/1

DA Warner21 (40b 2x4)

PJ Hughes18 (20b 3x4)

RMS Eranga2-0-13-0

KMDN Kulasekara6-0-11-0

12.1

Mathews to Hughes,
no run,
Angelo Mathews jogs in , defended by Hughes

12.2

Mathews to Hughes,
1 run,
drops it short, Hughes pulls it away for a single

12.3

Mathews to Warner,
no run,
pitched up, 127.8kph, left alone outside off

Chris: "Phil Hughes stamps his test come back with a cracking cut shot to get off the mark. I have a feeling we'll be seeing that cut shot in the test match arena for another 10 years..."

12.4

Mathews to Warner,
no run,
short of length ball outside off, worked towards point

Moppa: "Hughes isn't REALLY replacing Ricky Ponting. He's just holding no.3 temporarily until Warner or Cowan fall by the wayside and Usman Khawaja comes in to take no.3. If Ed Cowan keeps getting out cheaply to Welagadera, that moment may come sooner rather than later." Plenty of support for Khawaja among the readers today.

12.5

Mathews to Warner,
no run,
outside off and that is another easy leave

12.6

Mathews to Warner,
no run,
back of a length, closer to off, solid defence sends the ball trickling back towards the bowler

Stephen: "Phil Hughes must be confident. There is no MJ Guptill in the field." As Kerry O'Keeffe famously said at the time: "If P Hughes is shaving tomorrow and gets a nick, M Guptill will appear from the medicine cabinet with a band-aid."

End of over 13 (1 run)
Australia 49/1

DA Warner21 (44b 2x4)

PJ Hughes19 (22b 3x4)

AD Mathews1-0-1-0

RMS Eranga2-0-13-0

13.1

Eranga to Hughes,
no run,
outside off and that is left to the keeper

13.2

Eranga to Hughes,
no run,
not close enough to off stump to worry Hughes

13.3

Eranga to Hughes,
no run,
136.7kph, angles away after pitching well outside off, through to the keeper

13.4

Eranga to Hughes,
no run,
angling away once more, closer to the off stump, Hughes moves across the stumps and allows this one through as well

13.5

Eranga to Hughes,
no run,
pitched up, this time Hughes plays, sends the ball towards mid-off

Essee: "This isn't the ideal wicket for Hughes to reignite his test match career. Having said that, he's played on very similar pitches during the Sheffield Shield season and has batted well, hence his inclusion into the test team. If he scores well now, hopefully the naysayers against Hughes will be eating their words. I predict a fifty from him."

13.6

Eranga to Hughes,
no run,
bottom edges it to the keeper, Hughes got his bat down a touch late as he looked to defend that one, bounces through to P Jayawardene. Time for drinks

Mostly going as expected this morning. Sri Lanka's bowlers have focused on line and length to test the batsmen but they haven't bowled too many unplayable deliveries.

Sriman N Emany with a joke that tends to follow Welegedara: ""Uda Walawwe Mahim Bandaralage Chanaka Asanga Welegedara" can be an ideal replacement for "Warnakulasuriya Patabendige Ushantha Joseph Chaminda Vaas", atleast for the initials if not his bowling!!"

Mathews to Warner,
no run,
pitched up and well outside off, left alone

16.4

Mathews to Warner,
no run,
length ball around off, from round the wicket, blocked down the track

16.5

Mathews to Warner,
no run,
length ball outside off, Warner stays in the crease and sends that towards cover

Jordan has spotted a dastardly Australian tactic: "Do the bowling creases in Australia move on their own to cause mischief or something? First Kleinveldt and Philander couldn't get their feet right, now Kulasekara and Welegedara are sending down about 1 every 10 balls."

Eranga to Hughes,
no run,
well outside off, Hughes isn't tempted to play that one either

17.6

Eranga to Hughes,
no run,
length ball around off stump, defended off the front foot

Ted on Rob "human shield" Quiney: "I feel sorry for Quiney. Hughes gets to face a pop-gun attack which won't prove anything about his capabilities. Quiney should have been given more of a go than merely 3 innings."

End of over 18 (maiden)
Australia 60/1

PJ Hughes21 (39b 3x4)

DA Warner29 (58b 3x4)

RMS Eranga5-2-21-0

AD Mathews3-1-4-0

18.1

Mathews to Warner,
3 runs,
short of length ball outside off, Warner eases that towards the cover boundary, again not the sort of power shot Warner is famous for, times this nicely, and he's a terrific runner between the wickets, gets three more

18.2

Mathews to Hughes,
no run,
back of a length ball around off, solidly defended by Hughes

18.3

Mathews to Hughes,
no run,
length ball on middle stump, Hughes shuffles across and tucks that towards square leg

18.4

Mathews to Hughes,
no run,
short of length 127.5kph, Hughes looks to pull that one, misses the ball completely and is struck on the thigh pad

18.5

Mathews to Hughes,
2 leg byes,
full ball seemed to be heading down leg side, Hughes moved across and was struck on the pads, a polite lbw appeal, that's the first one of the morning I think, Mathews got that one to swing late as well

18.6

Mathews to Hughes,
no run,
careful defence to end the over

Neil White: "It's amazing this Australian side is so unsettled, yet was a win away from being #1 just a game ago."

End of over 19 (5 runs)
Australia 65/1

PJ Hughes21 (44b 3x4)

DA Warner32 (59b 3x4)

AD Mathews4-1-7-0

RMS Eranga5-2-21-0

Nuwan Kulasekara returns for a second spell. Has 6-0-11-0. Two slips and a gully, deep point in place

19.1

Kulasekara to Warner,
no run,
length ball outside off, defended towards the off side

Nate: "Even if Hughes makes a big hundred today, he will still have to wait to play one of the power attacks before he is fully embraced back into the fold by the aussie public."

19.2

Kulasekara to Warner,
no run,
full ball on off stump, defended to the off side

19.3

Kulasekara to Warner,
no run,
short of length ball around off, blocked off the back foot towards cover

19.4

Kulasekara to Warner,
1 run,
back of a length ball on the pads, clipped towards square leg for a single

19.5

Kulasekara to Hughes,
no run,
back of a length ball just outside off, more defence to the off side

Shlok: "Last time I heard people get this excited about a guy scoring a century or half when he's in the twenties was when Tendulkar was stuck on 99 hundreds."

19.6

Kulasekara to Hughes,
no run,
looks to chop that to the off side, bit late on the shot, and inside-edges it onto his pads

End of over 20 (1 run)
Australia 66/1

PJ Hughes21 (46b 3x4)

DA Warner33 (63b 3x4)

KMDN Kulasekara7-0-12-0

AD Mathews4-1-7-0

Welegedara returns

20.1

Welegedara to Warner,
FOUR,
easily put away by Warner, pitched up and that is driven through cover for four, again more about the timing and placement from Warner, that brings up the 50 stand as well

20.2

Welegedara to Warner,
no run,
length ball around off, Warner looks to drive that towards mid-on, slightly miscues it towards the bowler

20.3

Welegedara to Warner,
FOUR,
bit loose from Warner, he was drawn forward by that length ball outside off, Warner looked to crash it through the off side, french cuts it past the keeper

20.4

Welegedara to Warner,
no run,
130.4kph, short of length bounces a bit more than Warner expects, awkwardly defended

20.5

Welegedara to Warner,
no run,
once more, not quite off the middle of the bat, Warner was trying to defend towards cover, off the bottom edge towards the leg side instead

20.6

Welegedara to Warner,
no run,
much more solid from Warner, length ball outside off, middles it as he defends down the track

Billy seems to be enjoying himself: "Dave Warner has now scored more runs than Lionel Messi in this calendar year."

End of over 21 (8 runs)
Australia 74/1

DA Warner41 (69b 5x4)

PJ Hughes21 (46b 3x4)

UWMBCA Welegedara5-0-32-1

KMDN Kulasekara7-0-12-0

21.1

Kulasekara to Hughes,
no run,
full ball just outside off, defended off the front foot

21.2

Kulasekara to Hughes,
no run,
pitched up and around off again, defended towards cover by Hughes

21.3

Kulasekara to Hughes,
no run,
defended towards the off side once more

21.4

Kulasekara to Hughes,
no run,
length ball on off stump, defended back towards the bowler after getting behind the line

21.5

Kulasekara to Hughes,
no run,
pitched up and outside off, left alone by Hughes

Hughes hasn't scored since the 15th over

21.6

Kulasekara to Hughes,
2 runs,
and just after I trawled through the commentary to find that out, he pushes the ball past cover to pick up a couple

End of over 22 (2 runs)
Australia 76/1

PJ Hughes23 (52b 3x4)

DA Warner41 (69b 5x4)

KMDN Kulasekara8-0-14-0

UWMBCA Welegedara5-0-32-1

22.1

Welegedara to Warner,
FOUR,
back of a length and well outside off, fiercely slapped away through cover for four,beats deep point

22.2

Welegedara to Warner,
no run,
gets well forward and blocks it back to the bowler

22.3

Welegedara to Warner,
no run,
back of a length ball just outside off, defended towards the off side

22.4

Welegedara to Warner,
no run,
back of a length ball around off stump, more defence from Warner

22.5

Welegedara to Warner,
FOUR,
just wide of second slip, Warner looking to drive that on the up, gets the outsid eedge and that is past a diving Mahela Jayawardene at second slip, Sri Lanka will be kicking themselves, they had persisted with a third slip for a long time, soon after they remove him, the catch comes

22.6

Welegedara to Warner,
2 runs,
fifty for Warner, doesn't quite reach the landmark stylishly, a shortish ball from Welegedara leaps up at him and he awkwardly flails at it, sends the ball away towards square leg

End of over 23 (10 runs)
Australia 86/1

DA Warner51 (75b 7x4)

PJ Hughes23 (52b 3x4)

UWMBCA Welegedara6-0-42-1

KMDN Kulasekara8-0-14-0

23.1

Kulasekara to Hughes,
1 run,
guided towards point for a single

Mouse: "Tired of all the bleating about Quiney. Clarke, Hussey, Cowan and Warner all made tons against the 'lethal' South African attack. Quiney made nine runs in three digs. End of story."

23.2

Kulasekara to Warner,
no run,
full ball is blocked off the front foot, Kulasekara keeping it steady

23.3

Kulasekara to Warner,
no run,
back of a length ball around off stump, defended to the off side

Daniel: "Surprised Matthews has only taken one for as his best haul in 29 tests! Surely needs to change that or the lack of centuries to stay in a world class team" A 40-plus average isn't too shabby for a No. 6, and he hasn't bowled that much in Tests due to several injuries. The man is slated to be captain in Sri Lanka';s next series.

23.5

Kulasekara to Warner,
no run,
back of a length and angling in from round the wicket, Warner stays back and defends it

23.6

Kulasekara to Warner,
1 run,
full delivery is helped behind square leg for a single

End of over 24 (2 runs)
Australia 88/1

DA Warner52 (80b 7x4)

PJ Hughes24 (53b 3x4)

KMDN Kulasekara9-0-16-0

UWMBCA Welegedara6-0-42-1

24.1

Welegedara to Warner,
no run,
short of length ball outside off, carefully defended

24.2

Welegedara to Warner,
no run,
well outside off, Warner happy to leave

Daniel provides a history lesson: "Re Ted's comments about Quiney, same thing happened to Robbie Kerr back 1985-86. He got skittled by Hadlee and never got picked again. Geoff Marsh got to start his career against a weaker Indian side."

24.3

Welegedara to Warner,
no run,
closer to the stumps, Warner gets on the back foot and taps it to the off side

24.4

Welegedara to Warner,
1 run,
shorter from Welegedara, who grunts with the effort, played towards cover

24.5

Welegedara to Hughes,
no run,
short of length ball well outside off, that one swerves away further after pitching, easy leave

24.6

Welegedara to Hughes,
1 run,
back of a length ball just outside off, shuffles across and nurdles it towards square leg

End of over 25 (2 runs)
Australia 90/1

PJ Hughes25 (55b 3x4)

DA Warner53 (84b 7x4)

UWMBCA Welegedara7-0-44-1

KMDN Kulasekara9-0-16-0

25.1

Kulasekara to Hughes,
no run,
back of a length ball around off, blocked off the back foot

25.2

Kulasekara to Hughes,
no run,
an lbw appeal but there was an inside-edge there, and was sliding down leg as well given Kulasekara's angle from round the wicket

25.3

Kulasekara to Hughes,
1 run

25.4

Kulasekara to Warner,
FOUR,
short ball outside off, Warner doesn't care that it is only five minutes to lunch, hooked that over square leg for four

25.5

Kulasekara to Warner,
no run,
short of length ball just outside off, defended back down the track

25.6

Kulasekara to Warner,
1 no ball,
oversteps once more, back of length ball is blocked by Warner

25.6

Kulasekara to Warner,
no run,
gets behind the line and defends it

End of over 26 (6 runs)
Australia 96/1

DA Warner57 (88b 8x4)

PJ Hughes26 (58b 3x4)

KMDN Kulasekara10-0-22-0

UWMBCA Welegedara7-0-44-1

Dilshan to bowl the final over of the session

26.1

Dilshan to Hughes,
1 run,
around the wicket, cut off the back foot for a single

26.2

Dilshan to Warner,
OUT,
a wicket from nowhere, a run-out just a minute before lunch, Warner gets forward and pushes the ball firmly towards short cover, he started out before realising that there wasn't time for a single, Hughes had already committed and was steaming down, Mathews had loads of time to lob the ball towards the non-striker's end, Warner has thrown it away

DA Warner run out 57 (119m 89b 8x4 0x6) SR: 64.04

That will be lunch. What a bonus for Sri Lanka to get Warner's wicket at the end of that session. 97/2 is not too shabby a morning for Australia. Phil Hughes, in his third coming, is digging in and had formed a solid partnership with Warner. Sri Lanka's attack was workmanlike, and wouldn't be giving Australia's batsmen nightmares on the evidence so far. We'll be back in around half an hour, 1.05pm local time.

Back for the second session. Hughes on strike. Dilshan to continue

26.3

Dilshan to Hughes,
no run,
full ball outside off, blocked by Hughes

26.4

Dilshan to Hughes,
no run,
length ball, not turning much, defended off the front foot

Dilshan to Watson,
no run,
Watson tucks his first ball towards midwicket

Peter Warrington has more on Aussie cricket history: "before we start the Robbie Kerr truth and reconciliation campaign, worth remembering he was 29th in the Shield averages the next season. in truth he was lucky to play a test, with Steve Smith away with the rebels, he was the one that got away..."

End of over 27 (2 runs)
Australia 98/2

SR Watson0 (1b)

PJ Hughes27 (62b 3x4)

TM Dilshan1-0-1-0

KMDN Kulasekara10-0-22-0

Two slips in place for Kulasekara

27.1

Kulasekara to Hughes,
no run,
119.8kph loosener first up, line and length are perfect though, on off stump, Hughes blocks

What me, selfish? Tim: "Warner should learn from pros like Chanderpaul. In that situation just turn around and beat your partner to the crease. Hughes shouldn't have been running anyway, he should be the one to go."

27.2

Kulasekara to Hughes,
no run,
full ball from over the wicket, pushed back towards the bowler

27.3

Kulasekara to Hughes,
no run,
back of a length ball outside off, defended off the back foot

Bill sends in his (polite) Ashes-baiting nice and early: "Interesting to note that Cook's test stats (other than average) are actually better than Michael Clarke's even though Clarke is nearly four years older. Cook has more runs, more tons and more fifties. Goes to show what a truly world class player Cook is, and he has the potential to be one of the greats, given he has so much time left."

27.4

Kulasekara to Hughes,
no run,
pitched up and just outside off, Hughes gets well forwards as he pats the ball in the direction of mid-off

27.5

Kulasekara to Hughes,
no run,
back of a length and angling away, only 122kph from Kulasekara, left alone

27.6

Kulasekara to Hughes,
no run,
short of a length on middle stump, 124kph, patted back to the bowler

Hari: "Clarke would be mighty disappointed today. He is usually 30 no by now. Instead he is getting bored in the dressing room !""

End of over 28 (maiden)
Australia 98/2

PJ Hughes27 (68b 3x4)

SR Watson0 (1b)

KMDN Kulasekara11-1-22-0

TM Dilshan1-0-1-0

28.1

Welegedara to Watson,
no run,
back of a length ball from Welegedara, Watson carefully blocks the ball towards the off side

28.2

Welegedara to Watson,
no run,
back of a length ball just outside off, 124.8kph, defended in front of point

28.3

Welegedara to Watson,
no run,
back of a length once more, 124.7kph, just outside off, punched off the back foot towards cover

28.4

Welegedara to Watson,
no run,
pitched up this time, just outside off, pushed towards mid-off

28.5

Welegedara to Watson,
FOUR,
lovely stroke from Watson, drives on the up as he leans forwards and eases that to the left of mid-off, terrific timing sends the ball to the boundary

Cris: "@Daniel: Mathews has that uncanny knack, like India's VVS Laxman, of scoring runs when the team is in trouble. His average doesn't convey the value of his runs and his mental strength. His bowling is nowhere near test class though.."

28.6

Welegedara to Watson,
2 runs,
128.6 kph, just a bit of width, Watson waits on the back foot, carved towards sweeper cover

End of over 29 (6 runs)
Australia 104/2

SR Watson6 (7b 1x4)

PJ Hughes27 (68b 3x4)

UWMBCA Welegedara8-0-50-1

KMDN Kulasekara11-1-22-0

29.1

Kulasekara to Hughes,
no run,
length ball swerve away just a touch, but it starts outside off and Hughes was never interested in playing that

29.2

Kulasekara to Hughes,
no run,
closer to off, pitched up by Kulasekara, left alone by Hughes

Dwayne Schultz gets the last word on the Quiney situation: "Quiney had chances, failed and was dropped - this is exactly how the team should be selected. No more persevering with someone for five or six games because they have potential, make him go back to Shield cricket and earn his spot back and work on his weaknesses just like Hughes has done."

29.3

Kulasekara to Hughes,
no run,
length ball stayed lower than Hughes expected, hit very low on the bat, bounces through to the keeper, Hughes walks up to check where that ball bounced

29.4

Kulasekara to Hughes,
1 run,
just outside off, guides it towards deep point

29.5

Kulasekara to Watson,
no run,
length ball heading for off, 128kph, blocked off the front foot

29.6

Kulasekara to Watson,
no run,
back of a length and outside off, worked towards point, Hughes set off for the single before he heard Watson loud shout sending him back

Isaac McDonald: "Very impressed with the change in attitude and technique from Phil Hughes. His biggest problem was shot selection and trying to cut every ball that was even slightly short of a length. Promising return to the crease so far, and clearly a more talented batsman than Quiney."

End of over 30 (1 run)
Australia 105/2

SR Watson6 (9b 1x4)

PJ Hughes28 (72b 3x4)

KMDN Kulasekara12-1-23-0

UWMBCA Welegedara8-0-50-1

Eranga is back.

30.1

Eranga to Hughes,
no run,
starts with a short of length 128.7kph ball angling across, left alone

30.2

Eranga to Hughes,
1 no ball,
pitched up and angling across, easy leave, Eranga has over-stepped

Wise words from Seb: "Hughes runs have dried up ever so slightly. In the past his need to tick the scoreboard over made him especially vulnerable in these situations. In the top order, patience and judgement is key. So those moments when the scoring dries up are when he can show how far he has come"

30.2

Eranga to Hughes,
1 run,
pitched up and well outside off, thumps that towards deep point for a single, a controlled hit to one of his favourite scoring areas

30.3

Eranga to Watson,
no run,
swing and a miss from Watson, shortish ball outside off, well outside off, Watson wanted to cut that powerfully, the bounce beats him

30.4

Eranga to Watson,
no run,
back of a length ball much closer to off, defended towards point

30.5

Eranga to Watson,
no run,
back of length and outside off, left alone

Sach's hopes are fading: "It's going to be a long day of chasing leather for us. Cant imagine why they did not include T Perera for this fast tracks."

30.6

Eranga to Watson,
no run,
closer to the body this time, Watson opens the face as he keeps that out

Travis: "What is the record for test strike rate v odi strike rate for players who have scored over a certain amount? Warner's gap is only 8!" Anyone else surprised Warner only strikes at 81 or so in ODIs? Well lower than someone like Michael Hussey

End of over 31 (2 runs)
Australia 107/2

SR Watson6 (13b 1x4)

PJ Hughes29 (75b 3x4)

RMS Eranga6-2-23-0

KMDN Kulasekara12-1-23-0

31.1

Kulasekara to Hughes,
no run

31.2

Kulasekara to Hughes,
no run,
left alone outside off

31.3

Kulasekara to Hughes,
no run,
closer to the stumps, pushed back towards the bowler

31.4

Kulasekara to Hughes,
no run,
length ball outside off, Hughes moves across to get behind the line to defend

31.5

Kulasekara to Hughes,
1 run,
fuller and on off stump, Hughes shuffles across to nudge it behind square leg

31.6

Kulasekara to Watson,
FOUR,
shot! Watson eases a length ball between the bowler and mid-on, not much effort at all but the ball still speeds away

End of over 32 (5 runs)
Australia 112/2

SR Watson10 (14b 2x4)

PJ Hughes30 (80b 3x4)

KMDN Kulasekara13-1-28-0

RMS Eranga6-2-23-0

32.1

Eranga to Hughes,
1 run,
short ball well outside off, easy for Hughes to send that towards deep point

32.2

Eranga to Watson,
no run,
length ball, 140.8kph - quickest of the day I think - just outside off, slapped towards point

32.3

Eranga to Watson,
no run,
back of a length and just outside off, Watson stands tall and defends it

32.4

Eranga to Watson,
no run,
short of length, 139.7kph, angling in towards middle, defended solidly off the front foot

32.5

Eranga to Watson,
no run,
Watson striking it crisply, steers this towards backward point

Herath warming up.

32.6

Eranga to Watson,
no run,
length ball is punching firmly back towards the bowler, who jumps to grab that overhead

Martin: "For the oldies who can actually remember this and the young ones who wouldn't have a clue... On this day in 1987 the great Allan Border scores 205 v NZ in Adelaide to pass (the also great) Greg Chappell's then Australian test run aggregate record (7,110)." From more cricketing history that happened on Dec 14, check this.

End of over 33 (1 run)
Australia 113/2

SR Watson10 (19b 2x4)

PJ Hughes31 (81b 3x4)

RMS Eranga7-2-24-0

KMDN Kulasekara13-1-28-0

33.1

Kulasekara to Hughes,
1 wide,
round the wicket now Kulasekara, tries the bouncer, but that is too high, called a wide

33.1

Kulasekara to Hughes,
1 run,
another short one, 123.1kph, Hughes looks to pull but was hurried on, that hits high on the blade, almost near the handle, Hughes manages to have some semblance of control though, sending the ball towards square leg

33.2

Kulasekara to Watson,
2 runs,
waits on the back foot to guide that wide ball towards deep backward point for two

33.3

Kulasekara to Watson,
no run,
length ball, Watson gets a big stride in as he drives solidly towards mid-off

33.4

Kulasekara to Watson,
no run,
length ball around off, blocked off the front foot towards the bowler

33.5

Kulasekara to Watson,
no run,
back of a length and around off, 123.4kph, middles it towards cover, Kulasekara has been accurate all morning

33.6

Kulasekara to Watson,
1 run,
a touch short, Watson drops the ball towards cover and pinches a single

End of over 34 (5 runs)
Australia 118/2

SR Watson13 (24b 2x4)

PJ Hughes32 (82b 3x4)

KMDN Kulasekara14-1-33-0

RMS Eranga7-2-24-0

34.1

Eranga to Watson,
no run,
for the second time in his short innings, Watson can't gauge the bounce right as he looks to cut a short and wide ball, that was 144.4 kph

Mick: "What are the chances of Hughes and Watson being involved in a run-out considering their history?" Sri Lanka's best chance of a wicket, if you ask me.

34.2

Eranga to Watson,
1 run,
back of a length ball outside off, gets well back into the crease and punches that towards cover

34.3

Eranga to Hughes,
no run,
short of length ball outside off, blocked back down the track

Eranga to Hughes,
no run,
back of a length ball outside off, Hughes jumps across and tucks the ball towards midwicket

Bill's mail has riled up plenty of Australia readers, several of whom are invoking the "Cook has more runs than Bradman too" defence. Here's Sinc: "@Bill - interesting observation re Cook v Clarke. Well, depending on which way you manipulate the stats to support your argument. What Bill fails to mention is the Cook has had 9 more innings than Clarke and is an opener rather than a middle order batsman."

36.3

Eranga to Hughes,
no run,
slanting across, Hughes gets on the back foot and blocks

36.4

Eranga to Hughes,
FOUR,
well outside off, Hughes plays the shot that ended his previous stint in the Test team, pushing at a ball outside off, flies off a thick edge behind gully

Eranga to Watson,
no run,
a 134.6kph bouncer to end the over, Watson ducks under

Matt: "Bill presents an interesting arguement. Do you rate a batsman by his average, big-match performances, hundreds and fifties, double hundreds or career run aggregate? Surely Clarke must be the better player overall for his match-winning performances, plus he is almost an all-rounder (bowling average 36.3)"

Herath to Hughes,
no run,
length ball outside off, turned to short leg

37.3

Herath to Hughes,
no run,
strides forwards and defends

37.4

Herath to Hughes,
no run,
a wristy attempt to work the ball from way outside off to the leg side, sends it towards midwicket

37.5

Herath to Hughes,
1 run,
opens the face to steer the ball towards point for a single

37.6

Herath to Watson,
no run,
Watson waits on the back foot though that was pitched up, drives it to the off side

Steve: "@Bill: I know which batsman I'd rather watch! It's like a choice between Mark Waugh and Geoffrey Boycott!"

End of over 38 (1 run)
Australia 127/2

SR Watson14 (29b 2x4)

PJ Hughes40 (101b 4x4)

HMRKB Herath2-0-2-0

RMS Eranga9-2-31-0

38.1

Eranga to Hughes,
FOUR,
short ball, 138kph, Hughes is quick onto the pull, he seemed to be falling over at a touch as he played that but he got plenty of power on that one to send it to the square-leg boundary

Mitcher: "Bill raises an interesting point: who was the last truly great English cricketer? At least one now has the 'potential' to fill the void."

38.2

Eranga to Hughes,
no run,
angling across, outside off and that is left alone

Eranga to Hughes,
no run,
down the leg side, full ball, and Eranga having spotted how much Hughes moves across the stumps tries to bowl a leg-stump yorker to try get him bowled, Eranga has his hands on his head, and a rueful smile as that slips down the leg side

38.6

Eranga to Hughes,
no run,
trying something different Eranga, a bouncer on leg stump to finish the over

End of over 39 (4 runs)
Australia 131/2

PJ Hughes44 (107b 5x4)

SR Watson14 (29b 2x4)

RMS Eranga10-2-35-0

HMRKB Herath2-0-2-0

39.1

Herath to Watson,
no run,
get well forward to block that one

BJ: "Some pretty harsh comments on Matthews - he has a higher batting average than Watson who also has not been able to bowl on occasion..."

39.2

Herath to Watson,
1 run,
full ball on the pads, nudges it behind square leg, the batsmen think of taking two before Watson shouts not to go for the second

Anyone know what exactly Prasanna Jayawardene says after nearly every ball from Herath, something along the lines of 'Niyamai'.. The Sri Lankan equivalent of 'Bowled Shane'

39.5

Herath to Hughes,
FOUR,
gets that away to the point boundary, gets well back in the crease as he dispatches that wide delivery

39.6

Herath to Hughes,
no run,
stretches forward now to defend

Tony Dosen: "Problem is - and this goes for anyone dropped from this series, not just Quiney - that there is no Shield cricket to go back to until January 24 after the BigBash is over. Australia will get away with it now as they did against India last summer - but will hurt them badly if England run through them and force a change next year. How can you bring someone into an Ashes test on T20 Form?"

End of over 40 (5 runs)
Australia 136/2

PJ Hughes48 (111b 6x4)

SR Watson15 (31b 2x4)

HMRKB Herath3-0-7-0

RMS Eranga10-2-35-0

Mathews returns as he looks to reduce that Test bowling average

40.1

Mathews to Watson,
no run,
starts with a length ball on off, blocked off the front foot

40.2

Mathews to Watson,
no run,
a touch shorter, 127kph, pushed off the front foot towards cover

40.3

Mathews to Watson,
no run,
back of a length, close to off stump, Watson gets behind the line and defends

Mike: "Since the ashes baiting has started...thought I'd get in early with a wee something for the festive season
(to the tune of God Rest ye Merry Gentlemen)

God help you merry Englishmen
you'd better start to pray
A starc contrast to the recent past
is soon cummin your way
fast inswinging yorkers
at 140 K
Oh tidings of Cummins and Starc
Cummins and Starc
Oh tidings of Cummins and Starc"

40.4

Mathews to Watson,
no run,
short of length, 126.8kph, pushed back to the bowler

40.5

Mathews to Watson,
no run,
Mathews keeping it steady, Watson middling most to the off side

40.6

Mathews to Watson,
no run,
back of a length ball, heading for off, more defence and that is a maiden

Herath to Hughes,
no run,
length ball on off stump, studious defence, another maiden, time for drinks

Meety: "Not wanting to bag Hughes, (early in his innings & so far done a sound job), but all the talk of his "wagon wheel" being more complete doesn't quite appear true. Everything so far - square of the wicket - boundary shots around Point!"

End of over 42 (maiden)
Australia 136/2

PJ Hughes48 (117b 6x4)

SR Watson15 (37b 2x4)

HMRKB Herath4-1-7-0

AD Mathews5-2-7-0

Kennedy: "that pitch must be awful! Doesn't look like they'll get close to 5/482 on the first day like Adelaide... critics, back in ya box"

42.1

Mathews to Watson,
FOUR,
there's the shot Watson uses so effectively in the limited-overs matches, it was a touch short, and Watson didn't even middle it, but he puts massive power as he slugs it towards midwicket

Top work from LXP: "Here's some spooky wordplay for all you fans of such things: Shaminda Eranga = Hides an anagram"

42.2

Mathews to Watson,
no run,
short of length ball on off, respectfully defended by Watson

42.3

Mathews to Watson,
no run,
length ball, Watson gets forward and defends to the off side

Boringly sensible from Chris: "Cook vs Clarke? Can we just agree that they are both fantastic players?"

42.4

Mathews to Watson,
no run,
short of length ball on off stump, 126kph, defends to the leg side this time

42.5

Mathews to Watson,
no run,
back of a length on leg stump, blocked to the leg side

42.6

Mathews to Watson,
no run,
pitched up, Watson reaches across to try thump that through the off side, edges it to the right of the bowler

End of over 43 (4 runs)
Australia 140/2

SR Watson19 (43b 3x4)

PJ Hughes48 (117b 6x4)

AD Mathews6-2-11-0

HMRKB Herath4-1-7-0

43.1

Herath to Hughes,
no run,
Hughes gets in a big stride as he blocks

Gary, whose handle points out that he is from Melbourne: "Hughes has only reached 40 six times previously in test cricket. The lowest of those scores was 75, and for three of those he went on to get a ton. Look out Sri Lanka!"

43.2

Herath to Hughes,
1 run,
plenty of air on that one from Herath, wristy work from Hughes, who sends the ball to midwicket from outside off

43.3

Herath to Watson,
1 run,
too wide from Herath, Watson waits on the back foot and stabs it towards point

43.4

Herath to Hughes,
no run,
length ball on off stump, opens the face a little as he blocks

43.5

Herath to Hughes,
3 runs,
just a hint of width, and a touch short, that's enough for Hughes to pounce on, a square drive sends the ball towards the boundary, that brings up his half-century, nearly goes all the way but just pulled back in inches from the rope

Mathews to Hughes,
1 run,
short of length and on the pads, worked to square leg

44.3

Mathews to Watson,
no run

44.4

Mathews to Watson,
1 run,
on the pads, clipped towards midwicket, 'Yup,' says Watson calling Hughes through for a single

44.5

Mathews to Hughes,
FOUR,
nice shot from Hughes, most of his boundaries so far have been around the point region, this one was a straight drive past the bowler, it was a half-volley from Mathews, Hughes helps himself

Gav: "I think Angelo's bowling average is down to playing most of his matches on the sub-continent where spinners tend to get most of the overs, leaving him to fill in part time."

End of over 45 (8 runs)
Australia 153/2

PJ Hughes59 (125b 7x4)

SR Watson21 (47b 3x4)

AD Mathews7-2-19-0

HMRKB Herath5-1-12-0

45.1

Herath to Watson,
1 run,
a full ball on the pads, Watson nudges it towards deep square leg

Chaapa Pelpola: "'Niyamai' MEANS VERY GOOD"

45.2

Herath to Hughes,
no run,
length ball just outside off, defended off the front foot

45.3

Herath to Hughes,
SIX,
not the prettiest of strokes, and there would have been a hailstorm of criticism if he had holed out playing that, Hughes charges down and swats that, losing his balance as he reaches for the ball, still gets plenty of power on it to not just clear mid-on but the rope as well

45.4

Herath to Hughes,
2 runs,
this is on the pads, eased towards deep square leg for a couple

45.5

Herath to Hughes,
no run,
stretches forward to block that on to the off side

Daniel C: "The last truly Great English cricketer was Fuller Pilch. He invented Pilch's Poke, or the forward defensive shot. That's a truly Great and truly English contribution to the game. What has any of them done since by comparison? Nothing worth mentioning."

End of over 46 (10 runs)
Australia 163/2

PJ Hughes68 (130b 7x4 1x6)

SR Watson22 (48b 3x4)

HMRKB Herath6-1-22-0

AD Mathews7-2-19-0

46.1

Welegedara to Hughes,
FOUR,
short and wide, Hughes waits on the back foot and chops it away to his favourite area, whacks to the deep point boundary, Hughes racing along after reaching his half-century

46.2

Welegedara to Hughes,
no run,
fuller this time, 127kph, Hughes shoulders arms

46.3

Welegedara to Hughes,
2 runs,
short of length and just outside off, not as much width as on the first ball of the over, Hughes still squeezes it towards deep backward point

46.4

Welegedara to Hughes,
no run,
short of length, punched towards mid-off

Geethal Fernando :"Niyamai means, "good". You can also replace it by "Ela kiri"."

46.5

Welegedara to Hughes,
1 run,
back of a length, closer to off, Hughes stands tall and tucks the ball to the leg side

46.6

Welegedara to Watson,
1 run,
edgy from Watson, looking to play that straight, outside edge sends the ball towards cover

Omer jokes: "Both the openers are still there then how the hell it is 2 down :P"

End of over 47 (8 runs)
Australia 171/2

SR Watson23 (49b 3x4)

PJ Hughes75 (135b 8x4 1x6)

UWMBCA Welegedara9-0-58-1

HMRKB Herath6-1-22-0

47.1

Herath to Watson,
1 run,
full and flighted, Watson skips down the track and pushes it towards mid-on

47.2

Herath to Hughes,
no run,
length ball outside off, defended off the front foot to the off side

47.3

Herath to Hughes,
no run,
tossed up once more, solid defence

47.4

Herath to Hughes,
1 run,
not afraid to flight it, too full though from Herath, clipped towards midwicket

47.5

Herath to Watson,
2 runs,
that one skidded on, Watson exposed all his stumps as he got on the back foot to make room, poked towards deep point

47.6

Herath to Watson,
no run,
length ball on legstump, defended

End of over 48 (4 runs)
Australia 175/2

SR Watson26 (52b 3x4)

PJ Hughes76 (138b 8x4 1x6)

HMRKB Herath7-1-26-0

UWMBCA Welegedara9-0-58-1

48.1

Welegedara to Hughes,
1 run,
just a bit of width from Wlegedara, that's enough for Hughes to guide it towards deep point

48.2

Welegedara to Watson,
no run,
short of length and just outside off, driven off the front foot towards extra cover

Carlton Draft: "Sound job indeed by Hughes. Has already exceeded Ponting's series aggregate against South Africa by 50%, different opponents, but still..."

48.3

Welegedara to Watson,
no run,
keeps it tight around off, defended off the back foot

48.4

Welegedara to Watson,
1 run,
bit of an edge as he looks to drive through the off, sends the ball towards deep point

48.5

Welegedara to Hughes,
1 no ball,
wicket off a no-ball, Welegedara has overstepped by a long way, Hughes was looking to chop that one from outside off, gets a top edge through to the keeper, oh dear, Sri Lanka can't believe it, a moment of despair for Hughes before he realised it was a no-ball

48.5

Welegedara to Hughes,
no run,
back of a length ball is defended to the off side

48.6

Welegedara to Hughes,
no run,
length ball on off stump, defended to the left of the bowler

End of over 49 (3 runs)
Australia 178/2

PJ Hughes77 (142b 8x4 1x6)

SR Watson27 (55b 3x4)

UWMBCA Welegedara10-0-61-1

HMRKB Herath7-1-26-0

49.1

Herath to Watson,
no run,
full and wide, defended off the front foot

49.2

Herath to Watson,
no run,
again Watson skips away from the stumps as he makes room, chopped towards point

49.3

Herath to Watson,
no run,
stabbed to point once more

49.4

Herath to Watson,
3 runs,
pitched up, a touch unwisely Watson chooses to stay on the back foot, he is hurried into getting his bat down, guides that from just outside off towards third man

49.5

Herath to Hughes,
no run,
length ball just outside off, pushed back towards the bowler

49.6

Herath to Hughes,
1 run,
on off and middle, twirled towards midwicket for a single